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XNN destination photo
MIG destination photo

XNNMIG

Which side of the plane to sit from Xining Caojiabu Airport (Xining) to Mianyang Airport (Mianyang)?

Our Recommendation
8.5

Right Side of the Plane

The right side of the aircraft offers a spectacular view of the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, including the rugged Min Mountains and the high-altitude grasslands of Gannan.

Right Side Highlights
8.5
🏔️

Min Mountains (Minshan)

Stunning views of high-altitude peaks, including the 5,588m Xuebaoding, the highest peak of the range.

🌾

Gannan Grasslands

Vast stretches of high-altitude alpine meadows that appear as a velvet green carpet during the summer months.

🌊

Yellow River Upper Reaches

Deep gorges and sharp bends of the Yellow River as it flows through the rugged terrain of the Qinghai-Gansu border.

☁️

Tibetan Plateau Vista

An endless horizon of snow-capped ridges and high-altitude plateaus stretching toward the west.

❄️

Glacial Valleys

Deeply carved U-shaped valleys and high-altitude glacial lakes visible in the remote sections of the Minshan range.

The right side is the clear winner for mountain lovers. Book a morning flight to have the sun behind you, illuminating the snow-capped peaks of the Minshan range. Use a polarized filter to cut through the high-altitude atmospheric haze for clearer photos of the distant Tibetan ridges.

Left Side Highlights
7.2
🏙️

Xining Urban Area

Aerial view of the Huangshui River valley and the rapidly growing capital of Qinghai Province immediately after takeoff.

🏞️

Loess Plateau Fringe

Unique terraced landscapes and eroded earth formations characteristic of the transition between the plateau and central China.

🛶

Fujiang River Valley

The plane follows the winding path of the Fujiang River as it carves through the northern Sichuan mountains towards Mianyang.

🌳

Sichuan Basin Edge

The dramatic transition from high-altitude brown peaks to the lush, verdant green hills of the Sichuan province.

Sit on the left for better views of Xining's city layout during departure. In the afternoon, this side is shaded, providing better lighting for photographing the hazy green hills of the Sichuan Basin without cockpit glare.

Top Activities in Mianyang
Route Information

Distance: 619 km (385 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 2 min

Departure: XNN (36.5275, 102.042999)

Arrival: MIG (31.4281005859375, 104.74099731445312)

Route Type: Domestic

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